Bought this vehicle about 5 years ago from a local dealer with 28,000 miles on it.the previous owner bought it new.I have all the service records of what was done to it including oil changes every 3,000 miles.have always treated it like a baby and bragged about it.now has 84,016 miles on it and about 3 weeks ago the engine started knocking.took it to a local dodge dealer and was told that it is a lower engine knock and that I needed a new engine.called dodge to see if they would stand by their product up to 100,000 miles and was told their was nothing they could do about it.I believe they should stand by their product to at least 100,00 miles.now I have a useless vehicle and nothing to drive
Dodge Dakota engine failure problems
67 of the 6,482 owner complaints about the Dodge Dakota describe engine failure, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 67
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical repair cost reported
- $5,000
- typical mileage
- 68,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Steering lock-up 5Pulling 4Knocking 4Stalling 3Overheating 3Fire or smoke 3Transmission failure 2Power steering loss 2
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. When the contact placed the key in the ignition and started the engine, the key would come out and the steering wheel seized. The contact had to use excessive strength to turn the vehicle and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to rick hendricks dodge (1468 savannah hwy, charleston, sc 29407, (843) 352-6931) and the mechanics were unsure if a new steering column and/or new ignition switch was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
4.7l engine blew hole the size of a golf ball in block while passing a slower moving car on a country paved highway maxed at about 60mph. Engine has 72250 miles, running 5w30 synthetic oil. Regular home maintenance - oil changes every 3000 miles, other maintenance as in user manual at home. Had no check engine light, no warning. Truck well maintained (like new inside and out. I'm retired and truck is for pleasure use.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. While driving 50 MPH on the highway, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle stalled without warning. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to galeana's van dyke dodge (28400 van dyke ave, warren, mi 48093, (586) 573-4000) where the contact was informed that the vehicle was under recall for the gear shifter, and that the gear shifter and the ignition needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
Recall was driving and all of my breaks and calibers seized up..had to stop and spray them down
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge dakota. While driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel began to lose steering power and seized without warning. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinon failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. While driving various speeds, the front passenger side brakes seized without the brake pedal being depressed. In addition, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front passenger side where the brake was located. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the calipers or the brake lines needed to be replaced. The contact independently replaced the brake lines, brake calipers, and brake pads; however, the failure recurred and the contact noticed smoke and fire coming from the front passenger side where the brake was located. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge dakota. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge dakota. The contact stated the engine failed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 12/30/14*lj updated 05/27/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge dakota. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the calipers seized on the passenger side rotors. The failure occurred several times and the contact replaced the calipers himself. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000. Updated 9/4/14
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- The engine valve cover gasket may dislocate and allow an engine oil leak at the gasket.
- Risk
- The leakage of oil in the engine compartment could causea fire.
- Remedy
- Replace gasket cover with revised cover, and rtv sealant will be applied in place of a gasket.
Recall number 89V237000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Dakota engine failure
Which Dodge Dakota years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (17 complaints), 2001 (9 complaints) and 2003 (6 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the Dodge Dakota?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,000 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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